Bill Scher notes how several GOP Senate candidates are running left on right-leaning Real Clear Politics. Several Republican candidates in the year's most competitive Senate races have begun their fall sprint to Election Day, not by embracing Tea Party-fueled conservatism but by defensively tacking leftward.[icopyright one button toolbar] Why are these … [Read more...] about GOPers Running Left?
In Comedy You Must Keep Getting Better (Gene Perret Guest Voice)
In Comedy You Must Keep Getting Better by Gene Perret We all miss Joan Rivers. She was a funny lady. Her material was often brilliant and always delivered with gusto – sometimes savage gusto – but she was passionate about her comedy each time she stepped into the spotlight. This wasn’t by accident. Joan was a dedicated professional comedian who worked hard at her craft. … [Read more...] about In Comedy You Must Keep Getting Better (Gene Perret Guest Voice)
When moderates fight back
WASHINGTON -- The missing component in the machinery of American politics has been moderate-to-liberal Republicanism, and the gears of government are grinding very loudly. You wonder if Kansas and Alaska have come up with a solution to this problem. In Kansas, Democrat Chad Taylor shook up the Senate race by dropping out last week, giving an independent candidate, Greg … [Read more...] about When moderates fight back
Is Barack Obama Being Judged Too Harshly On Foreign Policy? Yes and No.
In the ceaseless sturm und drang over Barack Obama's foreign policy and the U.S.'s response to the many conflicts abroad, two important questions are not being asked: Isn't the world different than it was even 10 years ago, let alone 50 years ago, and isn't it unfair to judge the president without taking that into account? The answer is both yes and no. Yes, … [Read more...] about Is Barack Obama Being Judged Too Harshly On Foreign Policy? Yes and No.
Before Off the Wall
Show me a modern day pop or R’n’B artist who wasn’t influenced by Michael Jackson? I can’t think of a single soul. For better or for worse, Michael’s impact on music can still be felt today in the music industry. Artists are still dressing like Michael, they’re still singing like Michael, they’re still dancing like Michael and they’re still making videos like … [Read more...] about Before Off the Wall
The Fall GOP Strategy Becomes Clear
"You know keepaway? One of the oldest games in humankind, where ..." A very clear outline of the GOP fall strategy is beginning to take shape: Obama Goes on Meet the Press, Reality Fails to Intrude John Hinderaker* / Power Line* [* Seemingly, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koch Industries.] President Obama appeared on Meet the Press this morning with new host Chuck … [Read more...] about The Fall GOP Strategy Becomes Clear
Beware Perpetuating NATO by Fanning Flames with Russia (Le Figaro, France)
With heavy weapons crassly strewn across the NATO Summit golf course apparently ready for immediate delivery and the largest assembly of world leaders ever to appear at one time on British soil, is the NATO Alliance over-hyping the threat posed by Russia to justify its existence and mask it's lack of a strategy to deal with the Islamic State? For France's Le Figaro, world … [Read more...] about Beware Perpetuating NATO by Fanning Flames with Russia (Le Figaro, France)
SciFi Weekend: Doctor Who; Sleepy Hollow; Outlander; Agents of SHIELD; Gracepoint; Blacklist; Arrow; Supergirl; The DC Cinematic Universe; Revenge; How I Met Your Mother Alternate Ending
Doctor Who's third episode of the Capaldi era, Robot of Sherwood, was the lightest of the season. The episode, written by Mark Gatiss, almost seemed to be outside of the continuity of the season, being a story which could be watched at any time and which could easily have happened under Matt Smith or an earlier Doctor. The episode begins with Clara on the TARDIS, showing … [Read more...] about SciFi Weekend: Doctor Who; Sleepy Hollow; Outlander; Agents of SHIELD; Gracepoint; Blacklist; Arrow; Supergirl; The DC Cinematic Universe; Revenge; How I Met Your Mother Alternate Ending
Iraq: Another Day, Another Dam (Or Almost Déjà Vu)
[icopyright one button toolbar] U.S. Forces around Haditha Dam -- (Scroll to bottom) About three weeks ago, Iraqi and Kurdish forces, supported by American airstrikes retook the strategic Mosul Dam from Islamic extremists. At the time we reported on the importance of the Mosul Dam: The Mosul Dam in northern Iraq, the fourth largest in the Middle East, is an … [Read more...] about Iraq: Another Day, Another Dam (Or Almost Déjà Vu)
Demographics and the Suburbs
I grew up in a middle class neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. Within walking distance of my house were 4 grocery stores, including a small Safeway, a variety store, a hardware store and several restaurants. When I became a family man myself I moved to the suburbs and none of those things were within walking distance. Not a problem then - my family had 2 cars and we could … [Read more...] about Demographics and the Suburbs
Another Photo and some more musing
In the comments section of the post below SheKnows suggested that as fall and winter approach we might want some summer pictures. If truth be known I don't take very many photos in the summer because I find that season to be boring and uninspiring. But here is an early summer picture of a wild Tiger Lilly. … [Read more...] about Another Photo and some more musing
‘Moderate Islam’: Impotent, irrelevant? (Guest Voice)
CHULA VISTA, California –Cultivating moderate Muslim voices is a mighty challenge—especially given the paucity of moderate Muslims in Western societies. John Kerry recently spoke a dinner honoring Shaarik Zafar’s inclusion into the Department of Homeland Security as a senior adviser. Here are some of the salient points that Kerry made in his speech:[icopyright one button … [Read more...] about ‘Moderate Islam’: Impotent, irrelevant? (Guest Voice)
Rick Perry Loves the Troops, Hates Feeding Them
Rick Perry Love the Troops, Hates Feeding Them By Jason Stanford Texas has a new refugee crisis on the border, and this time it's not a bunch of kids. When Rick Perry deployed the National Guard to the border, he remembered to go on Fox News, pose with assault weapons, and brag to Republicans in Iowa. But he forgot to make sure that our National Guardsmen and women got paid … [Read more...] about Rick Perry Loves the Troops, Hates Feeding Them
Under pressure from Democrats, Obama postpones action on immigration
WASHINGTON — Facing pressure from Senate Democrats worried about losing congressional seats in November, President Barack Obama will postpone until after the elections his plan to act on his own to change immigration laws, White House officials said Saturday. The White House blamed Republican opposition for delaying Obama's plan to act until the end of the… graphic via … [Read more...] about Under pressure from Democrats, Obama postpones action on immigration
(Update) The Iraq ‘Candy Bombers’
[icopyright one button toolbar] Update: I had also posted this story at the Huffington Post. Today, at HuffPost, there was a very nice comment by the original “Candy Bomber” himself: Thank you Dorian for the "Candy Bombers of Iraq", Master Sergeants Stephen Brown and Emily Edmonds. They make a great team. We are not the only ones who have passed a hard to get … [Read more...] about (Update) The Iraq ‘Candy Bombers’
Appeals Court Strikes Down Gay Marriage Ban In Wisconsin and Indiana
On Thursday Judge Richard Posner, a Reagan appointee, wrote the decision after the The U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago stuck down the bans against same sex marriage in Wisconsin and Indiana.There were a number of arguments in his decision which were interesting to read, and which might have an impact when this issue inevitably reaches the Supreme Court. The Dish … [Read more...] about Appeals Court Strikes Down Gay Marriage Ban In Wisconsin and Indiana
Another Survey Shows Decrease In Obamacare Insurance Premiums For 2015
There is yet more good news on the Affordable Care Act. Rather than the "death spiral" which so many Republicans warned about, yet another study shows an average decline in health insurance premiums next year:[icopyright one button toolbar] An early look at the cost of health insurance in 16 major cities finds that average premiums for the benchmark silver plan – the one upon … [Read more...] about Another Survey Shows Decrease In Obamacare Insurance Premiums For 2015
Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: McDonnell’s Conviction
OF RELATED INTEREST: --The Religious Right's 'Nice Guy' Who Threw His Wife Under the Bus --Why John Edwards won and Bob McDonnell lost --A Shameful Defense Fails --McDonnell verdict jolts Virginia politicians, historians and ordinary Richmond residents Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon artists for his outstanding work as both a … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Guest Cartoon: McDonnell’s Conviction
A Picture and some Musing
With two weeks left until the official end of summer it will be in the mid 90's here in Western Oregon today. I may be an odd ball but I look forward to the blustery wet days, the sometimes violent Pacific storms and the occasional snow. My wife grew up in the Los Angeles area and hated the winters here while I relished them. There is nothing like gale forced winds shaking … [Read more...] about A Picture and some Musing
Kerry: ISIL ‘An Ambitious, Avowed Genocidal, Territorial-Grabbing, Caliphate-Desiring, Quasi State…’
[icopyright one button toolbar] Destined for criticism from those who oppose any military action in curbing or stopping ISIL's rampage and atrocities, President Obama on Friday appeared to have received assurances for support and cooperation from “at least nine allies,” at the NATO Summit in Wales, according to the New York Times. Those allies, referred to by Secretary … [Read more...] about Kerry: ISIL ‘An Ambitious, Avowed Genocidal, Territorial-Grabbing, Caliphate-Desiring, Quasi State…’